Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/shehui-diaocha-yanjiu-fangfa
Embarking on the second part of Coursera’s “Methodologies in Social Research” course, I found myself thoroughly impressed by the practical and comprehensive approach to understanding and executing social research.
This course, building upon foundational concepts, delves deep into the actionable steps of social inquiry. Week 8 kicks off the practical application with an in-depth exploration of questionnaire surveys. We learn not just what a questionnaire is, but its various types, essential components, and the art of designing and implementing one effectively. Crucially, the course emphasizes the importance of managing the survey process to ensure data quality.
Moving into Week 9, the focus shifts to other vital data collection methods: interviews and observations. The syllabus highlights the roles, responsibilities, and techniques required for interviewers and observers, along with guidance on organizing these types of studies and understanding their situational applicability.
Week 10 broadens our data collection toolkit to include literature reviews and trace data, including the increasingly relevant realm of big data. The course meticulously breaks down the methods and nuances of each, providing a robust understanding of how to leverage diverse data sources.
Data quality is rightly emphasized in Week 11, where the curriculum tackles data organization, cleaning, and crucially, assessment. The principle that “data without quality is garbage” is a powerful takeaway, driving home the importance of rigorous data handling practices.
Weeks 12 and 13 transition into data utilization, starting with case studies. The course demystifies case study research, covering its design, data collection, analysis, and presentation. This is followed by an exploration of statistical analysis and data mining, detailing the principles behind analyzing survey data across different variable types and differentiating big data analysis from traditional statistical methods.
Finally, Week 14 addresses the critical aspect of communicating research findings. The syllabus outlines the characteristics of research results, various methods of presentation, and the specific formats and distinctions between academic papers and research reports. This ensures that the culmination of research efforts is effectively conveyed.
Overall, “Methodologies in Social Research (Part 2)” is an invaluable resource for anyone looking to conduct rigorous and meaningful social research. The course provides a structured, practical, and insightful journey from data collection to result dissemination. I highly recommend it to students, researchers, and professionals in any field that relies on understanding social phenomena.
Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/shehui-diaocha-yanjiu-fangfa